Fraudulant Account

[sunnyday]

I have been working so hard for the last year to help my boyfriend get his credit report straightened out.  He finally got back on track, only to find out somebody opened a line of credit in his name in October 2007 and it is showing on his credit report as a collection.  I know for a fact that this is not his.  The original creditor is Citibank Associates and the collection is showing as Midland Credit Management.  It says it is an installment account.  It also says it has only been open since Oct 2007. but is in collection as of Dec 2007.  It also shows the balance is 1210.00.  Does anyone know how this could have possibly have been opened or have any idea if Citibank Associates sends preapproved offers in the mail or preapproved checks in the mail?  We are just trying to figure out if somebody may have gotten the mail and forged his signature.  Also, he has a fraud alert on his Equifax and Experian, so we are really stumped how this could have been approved without him knowing. I have disputed with Experian so far and waiting to see if it shows up on the others.  The only credit he has opened in the past 2 years is Kays jewelers in Nov 2007, and he had to go through numerous identity verification questions before they would approve him. I do not understand how this could have possibly happened.  Any help from all of you would be extremely appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if they do the same thing as Beneficial but Beneficial does send homeowners a check for a loan sometimes. The only thing you have to do is cash the check and there you go, instant loan.

But open in October and chargeoff by December? That sounds a little odd.

Did you call Citibank Associates? You can call just to ask the question and give no identifying info until you're sure of your next move.

Someone will come along and give a full answer but I'd find out if they have some type of program like that because it might lead you to answers. Like if someone went to a check cashing place, their picture may be on file, etc.

[SmartCookie]

Has he every had any accounts with Citibank or with Associates First Capital?

Did he check his reports to see if any OC TL is similar to this?  He needs to begin with a DV CMRRR but it's important to try to find out where it's coming from first so that he can find out (and print up copies of etc) the DOFD/LA.  Midland is no fun... advise him not to call them or answer their calls 

An account does not go to collections in 2 months... so this is not a new account.  Citibank takes a long time in charging off and going to outside collections.  Opened here means the date that Midland got the account.  Look for older dates on the Midland TL, and look at actual reports directly from the CRAs for anything else that might be related as well as the dates.

[sunnyday]

He has never had an account with Associates First Capital or Citibank.  I called Citicards and also the loan division of citibank. They ran his social, and there are no records for cards or loans with them. This is so disturbing. The original creditor has no info so how does the collection agency? What is going on?

[SmartCookie]

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sunnyday wrote:

He has never had an account with Associates First Capital or Citibank.  I called Citicards and also the loan division of citibank. They ran his social, and there are no records for cards or loans with them. This is so disturbing. The original creditor has no info so how does the collection agency? What is going on?

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Could be a clerical error, could be something old and forgotten that was bought out (and possibly re-aged by Midland, or not), could be fraud.

His best bet is to go ahead and DV Midland CMRRR now, dispute as 'not mine' roundabout the time they have received it.  

[SmartCookie]

Also he should also get that FA on his TU and consider opting out.

[sunnyday]

Well I just went through 1 whole year of old credit reports from all CRA and there is nothing on there for the amount of collection, citibank, midland, nothing..... not until Dec Experian report. This is so strange. Anyway, thanks for the advice and info. I will DV CMRRR to Midland and I can't wait to see what they come up with. I will keep you all posted and hopefully get all of this resolved quickly.

[SmartCookie]

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sunnyday wrote:

Well I just went through 1 whole year of old credit reports from all CRA and there is nothing on there for the amount of collection, citibank, midland, nothing..... not until Dec Experian report. This is so strange. Anyway, thanks for the advice and info. I will DV CMRRR to Midland and I can't wait to see what they come up with. I will keep you all posted and hopefully get all of this resolved quickly.

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It's definitely curious.  Midland is among the nastier CAs though so I'm glad you are taking the DV as the first step.  I wouldn't really jump to an ID theft police report until he finds out if this was a total error or not, but I can't say that is not also an option.  My personal opinion is that this will wind up being something very very old and past SOLs... but that Midland somehow snatched it up and re-aged this.  Remember that you always have the AG, FTC, and BBB to file complaints with.

If the Dec EX report was a direct pull from Experian, the Midland TL should be showing some sort of DOFD, so also make sure that that date does not match up with anything.  Midland may have added interest or penalty fees (legally or illegally).

G'luck and let us know.  I'm curious.